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Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a devastating condition causing significant morbidity and mortality. While outcomes from subarachnoid hemorrhage have improved in recent years, there continues to be significant interest in identifying therapeutic targets for this disease. In particular, there has been a shift in emphasis toward secondary brain injury that develops in the first 72 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage. This time period of interest is referred to as the early brain injury period and comprises processes including microcirculatory dysfunction, blood-brain-barrier breakdown, neuroinflammation, cerebral edema, oxidative cascades, and neuronal death. Advances in our understanding of the mechanisms defining the early brain injury period have been accompanied by improved imaging and nonimaging biomarkers for identifying early brain injury, leading to the recognition of an elevated clinical incidence of early brain injury compared with prior estimates. With the frequency, impact, and mechanisms of early brain injury better defined, there is a need to review the literature in this area to guide preclinical and clinical study.

The central nervous system (CNS) antigen-presenting cell (APC) that primes antitumor CD8+ T-cell responses remains undefined. Elsewhere in the body, the conventional dendritic cell 1 (cDC1) performs this role. However, steady-state brain parenchyma cDC1 are extremely rare; cDCs localize to the choroid plexus and dura. Thus, whether the cDC1 play a function in presenting antigen derived from parenchymal sources in the tumor setting remains unknown. Using preclinical glioblastoma (GBM) models and cDC1-deficient mice, we explored the presently unknown role of cDC1 in CNS antitumor immunity. We determined that, in addition to infiltrating the brain tumor parenchyma itself, cDC1 prime neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cells against brain tumors and mediate checkpoint blockade-induced survival benefit. We observed that cDC, including cDC1, isolated from the tumor, the dura, and the CNS-draining cervical lymph nodes harbored a traceable fluorescent tumor antigen. In patient samples, we observed several APC subsets (including the CD141+ cDC1 equivalent) infiltrating glioblastomas, meningiomas, and dura. In these same APC subsets, we identified a tumor-specific fluorescent metabolite of 5-aminolevulinic acid, which fluorescently labeled tumor cells during fluorescence-guided GBM resection. Together, these data elucidate the specialized behavior of cDC1 and suggest that cDC1 play a significant role in CNS antitumor immunity.

Supplementary Figures and Tables.

The central nervous system (CNS) antigen-presenting cell (APC) that primes antitumor CD8+ T-cell responses remains undefined. Elsewhere in the body, the conventional dendritic cell 1 (cDC1) performs this role. However, steady-state brain parenchyma cDC1 are extremely rare; cDCs localize to the choroid plexus and dura. Thus, whether the cDC1 play a function in presenting antigen derived from parenchymal sources in the tumor setting remains unknown. Using preclinical glioblastoma (GBM) models and cDC1-deficient mice, we explored the presently unknown role of cDC1 in CNS antitumor immunity. We determined that, in addition to infiltrating the brain tumor parenchyma itself, cDC1 prime neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cells against brain tumors and mediate checkpoint blockade-induced survival benefit. We observed that cDC, including cDC1, isolated from the tumor, the dura, and the CNS-draining cervical lymph nodes harbored a traceable fluorescent tumor antigen. In patient samples, we observed several APC subsets (including the CD141+ cDC1 equivalent) infiltrating glioblastomas, meningiomas, and dura. In these same APC subsets, we identified a tumor-specific fluorescent metabolite of 5-aminolevulinic acid, which fluorescently labeled tumor cells during fluorescence-guided GBM resection. Together, these data elucidate the specialized behavior of cDC1 and suggest that cDC1 play a significant role in CNS antitumor immunity.

Supplementary Figure from Characterization of the Genomic and Immunologic Diversity of Malignant Brain Tumors through Multisector Analysis

Supplementary Table from Characterization of the Genomic and Immunologic Diversity of Malignant Brain Tumors through Multisector Analysis

Despite some success in secondary brain metastases, targeted or immune-based therapies have shown limited efficacy against primary brain malignancies such as glioblastoma (GBM). Although the intratumoral heterogeneity of GBM is implicated in treatment resistance, it remains unclear whether this diversity is observed within brain metastases and to what extent cancer cell–intrinsic heterogeneity sculpts the local immune microenvironment. Here, we profiled the immunogenomic state of 93 spatially distinct regions from 30 malignant brain tumors through whole-exome, RNA, and T-cell receptor sequencing. Our analyses identified differences between primary and secondary malignancies, with gliomas displaying more spatial heterogeneity at the genomic and neoantigen levels. In addition, this spatial diversity was recapitulated in the distribution of T-cell clones in which some gliomas harbored highly expanded but spatially restricted clonotypes. This study defines the immunogenomic landscape across a cohort of malignant brain tumors and contains implications for the design of targeted and immune-based therapies against intracranial malignancies.Significance:This study describes the impact of spatial heterogeneity on genomic and immunologic characteristics of gliomas and brain metastases. The results suggest that gliomas harbor significantly greater intratumoral heterogeneity of genomic alterations, neoantigens, and T-cell clones than brain metastases, indicating the importance of multisector analysis for clinical or translational studies.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1

OBJECTIVE There is a reported elevated risk of cerebral aneurysms in patients with intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs). However, the natural history, rate of spontaneous regression, and ideal treatment regimen are not well characterized. In this study, the authors aimed to describe the characteristics of patients with dAVFs and intracranial aneurysms and propose a classification system. METHODS The Consortium for Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Outcomes Research (CONDOR) database from 12 centers was retrospectively reviewed. Analysis was performed to compare dAVF patients with (dAVF+ cohort) and without (dAVF-only cohort) concomitant aneurysm. Aneurysms were categorized based on location as a dAVF flow-related aneurysm (FRA) or a dAVF non–flow-related aneurysm (NFRA), with further classification as extra- or intradural. Patients with traumatic pseudoaneurysms or aneurysms with associated arteriovenous malformations were excluded from the analysis. Patient demographics, dAVF anatomical information, aneurysm information, and follow-up data were collected. RESULTS Of the 1077 patients, 1043 were eligible for inclusion, comprising 978 (93.8%) and 65 (6.2%) in the dAVF-only and dAVF+ cohorts, respectively. There were 96 aneurysms in the dAVF+ cohort; 10 patients (1%) harbored 12 FRAs, and 55 patients (5.3%) harbored 84 NFRAs. Dural AVF+ patients had higher rates of smoking (59.3% vs 35.2%, p < 0.001) and illicit drug use (5.8% vs 1.5%, p = 0.02). Sixteen dAVF+ patients (24.6%) presented with aneurysm rupture, which represented 16.7% of the total aneurysms. One patient (1.5%) had aneurysm rupture during follow-up. Patients with dAVF+ were more likely to have a dAVF located in nonconventional locations, less likely to have arterial supply to the dAVF from external carotid artery branches, and more likely to have supply from pial branches. Rates of cortical venous drainage and Borden type distributions were comparable between cohorts. A minority (12.5%) of aneurysms were FRAs. The majority of the aneurysms underwent treatment via either endovascular (36.5%) or microsurgical (15.6%) technique. A small proportion of aneurysms managed conservatively either with or without dAVF treatment spontaneously regressed (6.2%). CONCLUSIONS Patients with dAVF have a similar risk of harboring a concomitant intracranial aneurysm unrelated to the dAVF (5.3%) compared with the general population (approximately 2%–5%) and a rare risk (0.9%) of harboring an FRA. Only 50% of FRAs are intradural. Dural AVF+ patients have differences in dAVF angioarchitecture. A subset of dAVF+ patients harbor FRAs that may regress after dAVF treatment.

Background: Inhalational anesthetics were associated with reduced incidence of angiographic vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Whether intravenous anesthetics provide similar level of protection is not known. Methods: Anesthetic data were collected retrospectively for patients with SAH who received general anesthesia for aneurysm repair between January 1, 2014 and May 31, 2018, at 2 academic centers in the United States (one employing primarily inhalational and the other primarily intravenous anesthesia with propofol). We compared the outcomes of angiographic vasospasm, DCI, and neurological outcome (measured by disposition at hospital discharge), between the 2 sites, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: We compared 179 patients with SAH receiving inhalational anesthetics at one institution to 206 patients with SAH receiving intravenous anesthetics at the second institution. The rates of angiographic vasospasm between inhalational versus intravenous anesthetic groups were 32% versus 52% (odds ratio, 0.49 [CI, 0.32–0.75]; P =0.001) and DCI were 21% versus 40% (odds ratio, 0.47 [CI, 0.29–0.74]; P =0.001), adjusting for imbalances between sites/groups, Hunt-Hess and Fisher grades, type of aneurysm treatment, and American Society of Anesthesiology status. No impact of anesthetics on neurological outcome at time of discharge was noted with rates of good discharge outcome between inhalational versus intravenous anesthetic groups at (78% versus 72%, P =0.23). ConclusionS: Our data suggest that those who received inhalational versus intravenous anesthetic for ruptured aneurysm repair had significant protection against SAH-induced angiographic vasospasm and DCI. Although we cannot fully disentangle site-specific versus anesthetic effects in this comparative study, these results, when coupled with preclinical data demonstrating a similar protective effect of inhalational anesthetics on vasospasm and DCI, suggest that inhalational anesthetics may be preferable for patients with SAH undergoing aneurysm repair. Additional investigations examining the effect of inhalational anesthetics on other SAH outcomes such as early brain injury and long-term neurological outcomes are warranted.

Introduction A low subfrontal dural opening technique that limits brain manipulation was assessed in patients who underwent frontotemporal approaches for anterior fossa lesions. Methods A retrospective review was performed for cases using a low subfrontal dural opening including characterization of demographics, lesion size and location, neurological and ophthalmological assessments, clinical course, and imaging findings. Results A low subfrontal dural opening was performed in 23 patients (17F, 6M), median age of 53 years (range 23–81) with a median follow-up duration of 21.9 months (range 6.2–67.1). Lesions included 22 meningiomas (nine anterior clinoid, 12 tuberculum sellae, and one sphenoid wing), one unruptured internal carotid artery aneurysm clipped during a meningioma resection, and one optic nerve cavernous malformation. Maximal possible resection was achieved in all cases including gross total resection in 16/22 (72.7%), near total in 1/22 (4.5%), and subtotal in 5/22 (22.7%) in which tumor involvement of critical structures limited complete resection. Eighteen patients presented with vision loss; 11 (61%) improved postoperatively, three (17%) were stable, and four (22%) worsened. The mean ICU stay and time to discharge were 1.3 days (range 0–3) and 3.8 days (range 2–8). Conclusion A low sub-frontal dural opening for approaches to the anterior fossa can be performed with minimal brain exposure, early visualization of the optico-carotid cistern for cerebrospinal fluid release, minimizing need for fixed brain retraction, and Sylvian fissure dissection. This technique can potentially reduce surgical risk and provide excellent exposure for anterior skull base lesions with favorable extent of resection, visual recovery, and complication rates.

Functional connectivity (FC) is a sensitive metric that provides a readout of whole cortex coordinate neural activity in a mouse model. We examine the impact of experimental SAH modeled through endovascular perforation, and the effectiveness of subsequent treatment on FC, through three key questions: 1) Does the endovascular perforation model of SAH induce deficits in FC; 2) Does exposure to hypoxic conditioning provide protection against these FC deficits and, if so, is this neurovascular protection SIRT1-mediated; and 3) does treatment with the SIRT1 activator resveratrol alone provide protection against these FC deficits? Cranial windows were adhered on skull-intact mice that were then subjected to either sham or SAH surgery and either left untreated or treated with hypoxic post-conditioning (with or without EX527) or resveratrol for 3 days. Mice were imaged 3 days post-SAH/sham surgery, temporally aligned with the onset of major SAH sequela in mice. Here we show that the endovascular perforation model of SAH induces global and network-specific deficits in FC by day 3, corresponding with the time frame of DCI in mice. Hypoxic conditioning provides SIRT1-mediated protection against these network-specific FC deficits post-SAH, as does treatment with resveratrol. Conditioning-based strategies provide multifaceted neurovascular protection in experimental SAH.

Despite some success in secondary brain metastases, targeted or immune-based therapies have shown limited efficacy against primary brain malignancies such as glioblastoma (GBM). Although the intratumoral heterogeneity of GBM is implicated in treatment resistance, it remains unclear whether this diversity is observed within brain metastases and to what extent cancer cell–intrinsic heterogeneity sculpts the local immune microenvironment. Here, we profiled the immunogenomic state of 93 spatially distinct regions from 30 malignant brain tumors through whole-exome, RNA, and T-cell receptor sequencing. Our analyses identified differences between primary and secondary malignancies, with gliomas displaying more spatial heterogeneity at the genomic and neoantigen levels. In addition, this spatial diversity was recapitulated in the distribution of T-cell clones in which some gliomas harbored highly expanded but spatially restricted clonotypes. This study defines the immunogenomic landscape across a cohort of malignant brain tumors and contains implications for the design of targeted and immune-based therapies against intracranial malignancies. Significance: This study describes the impact of spatial heterogeneity on genomic and immunologic characteristics of gliomas and brain metastases. The results suggest that gliomas harbor significantly greater intratumoral heterogeneity of genomic alterations, neoantigens, and T-cell clones than brain metastases, indicating the importance of multisector analysis for clinical or translational studies. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1

An increase in sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) reportedly attenuates early brain injury, delayed cerebral ischemia, and short-term neurologic deficits in rodent models of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This study investigates the effect of resveratrol, a SIRT1 activator, on long-term functional recovery in a clinically relevant rat model of SAH.Thirty male Wistar rats were subjected to fresh arterial blood injection into the prechiasmatic space and randomized to receive 7 days of intraperitoneal resveratrol (20 mg/kg) or vehicle injections. Body weight and rotarod performance were measured on days 0, 3, 7, and 34 post SAH. The neurologic score was assessed 7 and 34 days post SAH. Morris water maze performance was evaluated 29-33 days post SAH. Brain SIRT1 activity and CA1 neuronal survival were also assessed.Blood pressure rapidly increased in all SAH rats, and no between-group differences in blood pressure, blood gases, or glucose were detected. SAH induced weight loss during the first 7 days, which gradually recovered in both groups. Neurologic score and rotarod performance were significantly improved after resveratrol treatment at 34 days post SAH (p = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively). Latency to find the Morris water maze hidden platform was shortened (p = 0.02). In the resveratrol group, more CA1 neurons survived following SAH (p = 0.1). An increase in brain SIRT1 activity was confirmed in the resveratrol group (p 0.05).Treatment with resveratrol for 1 week significantly improved the neurologic score, rotarod performance, and latency to find the Morris water maze hidden platform 34 days post SAH. These findings indicate that SIRT1 activation warrants further investigation as a mechanistic target for SAH therapy.

Objective Tau hyperphosphorylation at threonine 217 (pT217) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has recently been linked to early amyloidosis and could serve as a highly sensitive biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, it remains unclear whether other tauopathies induce pT217 modifications. To determine if pT217 modification is specific to AD, CSF pT217 was measured in AD and other tauopathies. Methods Using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry methods, we compared CSF T217 phosphorylation occupancy (pT217/T217) and amyloid‐beta (Aβ) 42/40 ratio in cognitively normal individuals and those with symptomatic AD, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal syndrome, and sporadic and familial frontotemporal dementia. Results Individuals with AD had high CSF pT217/T217 and low Aβ42/40. In contrast, cognitively normal individuals and the majority of those with 4R tauopathies had low CSF pT217/T217 and normal Aβ 42/40. We identified a subgroup of individuals with increased CSF pT217/T217 and normal Aβ 42/40 ratio, most of whom were MAPT R406W mutation carriers. Diagnostic accuracies of CSF Aβ 42/40 and CSF pT217/T217, alone and in combination were compared. We show that CSF pT217/T217 × CSF Aβ 42/40 is a sensitive composite biomarker that can separate MAPT R406W carriers from cognitively normal individuals and those with other tauopathies. Interpretation MAPT R406W is a tau mutation that leads to 3R+4R tauopathy similar to AD, but without amyloid neuropathology. These findings suggest that change in CSF pT217/T217 ratio is not specific to AD and might reflect common downstream tau pathophysiology common to 3R+4R tauopathies.

Background and purpose Acute ischemic stroke has increasingly become a procedural disease following the demonstrated benefit of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) on clinical outcomes and tissue salvage in randomized trials. Given these data and anecdotal experience of decreased numbers of decompressive hemicraniectomies (DHCs) performed for malignant cerebral edema, we sought to correlate the numbers of strokes, thrombectomies, and DHCs performed over the timeline of the 2013 failed thrombolysis/thrombectomy trials, to the 2015 modern randomized MT trials, to post-DAWN and DEFUSE 3. Materials and methods This is a multicenter retrospective compilation of patients who presented with ELVO in 11 US high-volume comprehensive stroke centers. Rates of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), thrombectomy, and DHC were determined by current procedural terminology code, and specificity to acute ischemic stroke confirmed by each institution. Endpoints included the incidence of stroke, thrombectomy, and DHC and rates of change over time. Results Between 2013 and 2018, there were 55,247 stroke admissions across 11 participating centers. Of these, 6145 received tPA, 4122 underwent thrombectomy, and 662 patients underwent hemicraniectomy. The trajectories of procedure rates over time were modeled and there was a significant change in MT rate ( p = 0.002) without a concomitant change in the total number of stroke admissions, tPA administration rate, or rate of DHC. Conclusions This real-world study confirms an increase in thrombectomy performed for ELVO while demonstrating stable rates of stroke admission, tPA administration and DHC. Unlike prior studies, increasing thrombectomy rates were not associated with decreased utilization of hemicraniectomy.

To identify factors, including the use of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI), impacting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) after resections of newly diagnosed intracranial grade II ependymomas performed across 4 different institutions.Analyses of a multicenter mixed retrospective/prospective database assessed the impact of patient, treatment, and tumor characteristics on OS and PFS. iMRI workflow and logistics were also outlined.Forty-three patients were identified (mean age 25.4 years, mean follow-up 52.8 months). The mean OS was 52.8 ± 44.7 months. Univariate analyses failed to identify prognostic factors associated with OS, likely due to relatively shorter follow-up time for this less aggressive glioma subtype. The mean PFS was 43.7 ± 39.8 months. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that gross-total resection was associated with prolonged PFS compared to both subtotal resection (STR) (P = 0.005) and near-total resection (P = 0.01). Infratentorial location was associated with improved PFS compared to supratentorial location (P = 0.04). Log-rank analyses of Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that increasing extent of resection (EOR) led to improved OS specifically for supratentorial tumors (P = 0.02) and improved PFS for all tumors (P0.001). Thirty cases (69.8%) utilized iMRI, of which 12 (27.9%) involved additional resection after iMRI. Of these, 8/12 (66.7%) resulted in gross-total resection, while 2/12 (16.7%) were near-total resection and 2/12 (16.7%) were subtotal resection. iMRI was not an independent prognosticator of PFS (P = 0.72).Greater EOR and infratentorial location were associated with increased PFS for grade II ependymomas. Greater EOR was associated with longer OS only for supratentorial tumors. A longer follow-up is needed to establish prognostic factors for this cohort, including use of iMRI.

Background: Cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas with cortical venous drainage are rare lesions that can present with hemorrhage. A high rate of rebleeding in the early period following hemorrhage has been reported, but published long-term rates are much lower. No study has examined how risk of rebleeding changes over time. Our objective was to quantify the relative incidence of rebleeding in the early and later periods following hemorrhage. Methods: Patients with dural arteriovenous fistula and cortical venous drainage presenting with hemorrhage were identified from the multinational CONDOR (Consortium for Dural Fistula Outcomes Research) database. Natural history follow-up was defined as time from hemorrhage to first treatment, rebleed, or last follow-up. Rebleeding in the first 2 weeks and first year were compared using incidence rate ratio and difference. Results: Of 1077 patients, 250 met the inclusion criteria and had 95 cumulative person-years natural history follow-up. The overall annualized rebleed rate was 7.3% (95% CI, 3.2–14.5). The incidence rate of rebleeding in the first 2 weeks was 0.0011 per person-day; an early rebleed risk of 1.6% in the first 14 days (95% CI, 0.3–5.1). For the remainder of the first year, the incidence rate was 0.00015 per person-day; a rebleed rate of 5.3% (CI, 1.7–12.4) over 1 year. The incidence rate ratio was 7.3 (95% CI, 1.4–37.7; P , 0.026). Conclusions: The risk of rebleeding of a dural arteriovenous fistula with cortical venous drainage presenting with hemorrhage is increased in the first 2 weeks justifying early treatment. However, the magnitude of this increase may be considerably lower than previously thought. Treatment within 5 days was associated with a low rate of rebleeding and appears an appropriate timeframe.

BackgroundTools predicting intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) treatment outcomes remain scarce. This study aimed to use a multicenter database comprising more than 1000 dAVFs to develop a practical scoring system that predicts treatment outcomes.MethodsPatients with angiographically confirmed dAVFs who underwent treatment within the Consortium for Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Outcomes Research-participating institutions were retrospectively reviewed. A subset comprising 80% of patients was randomly selected as training dataset, and the remaining 20% was used for validation. Univariable predictors of complete dAVF obliteration were entered into a stepwise multivariable regression model. The components of the proposed score (VEBAS) were weighted based on their ORs. Model performance was assessed using receiver operating curves (ROC) and areas under the ROC.ResultsA total of 880 dAVF patients were included. Venous stenosis (presence vs absence), elderly age (ConclusionThe VEBAS score is a practical grading system that can guide patient counseling when considering dAVF intervention by predicting the likelihood of treatment success, with higher scores portending a greater likelihood of complete obliteration.

Background and Purpose:Early brain injury may be a more significant contributor to poor outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) than vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia. However, studying this process has been hampered by lack of a means of quantifying the spectrum of injury. Global cerebral edema (GCE) is the most widely accepted manifestation of early brain injury but is currently assessed only through subjective, qualitative or semi-quantitative means. Selective sulcal volume (SSV), the CSF volume above the lateral ventricles, has been proposed as a quantitative biomarker of GCE, but is time-consuming to measure manually. Here we implement an automated algorithm to extract SSV and evaluate the age-dependent relationship of reduced SSV on early outcomes after aSAH.Methods:We selected all adults with aSAH admitted to a single institution with imaging within 72 hours of ictus. Scans were assessed for qualitative presence of GCE. SSV was automatically segmented from serial CTs using a deep learning-based approach. Early SSV was the lowest SSV from all early scans. Modified Rankin Scale score of 4 to 6 at hospital discharge was classified as a poor outcome.Results:Two hundred forty-four patients with aSAH were included. Sixty-five (27%) had GCE on admission while 24 developed it subsequently within 72 hours. Median SSV on admission was 10.7 mL but frequently decreased, with minimum early SSV being 3.0 mL (interquartile range, 0.3–11.9). Early SSV below 5 mL was highly predictive of qualitative GCE (area under receiver-operating-characteristic curve, 0.90). Reduced early SSV was an independent predictor of poor outcome, with a stronger effect in younger patients.Conclusions:Automated assessment of SSV provides an objective biomarker of GCE that can be leveraged to quantify early brain injury and dissect its impact on outcomes after aSAH. Such quantitative analysis suggests that GCE may be more impactful to younger patients with SAH.

OBJECTIVE The Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) provides diverse funding opportunities for in-training and early-career neurosurgeon-scientists. The authors analyzed the impact of NREF funding on the subsequent career success of neurosurgeons in obtaining research funding and academic achievements. METHODS The NREF database was queried to identify NREF winners from 2000 to 2015. The award recipients were surveyed to obtain information about their demographic characteristics, academic career, and research funding. Only subsequent research support with an annual funding amount of $50,000 or greater was included. The primary outcome was the NREF impact ratio, defined as the ratio between NREF award research dollars and subsequent grant funding dollars. The secondary outcomes were time to subsequent grant funding as principal investigator (PI), clinical practice settings, and final academic position achieved. RESULTS From 2000 to 2015, 158 neurosurgeons received 164 NREF awards totaling $8.3 million (M), with $1.7 M awarded to 46 Young Clinician Investigators (YCIs), $1.5 M to 18 Van Wagenen Fellows (VWFs), and $5.1 M to 100 resident Research Fellowship Grant (RFG) awardees. Of all awardees, 73% have current academic appointments, and the mean ± SD number of publications and H-index were 71 ± 82 and 20 ± 15, respectively. The overall response rate to our survey was 70%, and these respondents became the cohort for our analysis. In total, respondents cumulatively obtained $776 M in post–NREF award grant funding, with the most common sources of funding including the National Institutes of Health ($327 M) and foundational awards ($306 M). The NREF impact ratios for awardees were $1:$381 for YCI, $1:$113 for VWF, and $1:$41 for resident RFG. Awardees with NREF projects in functional neurosurgery, pediatric neurosurgery, and neuro-oncology had the highest NREF impact ratios of $1:$194, $1:$185, and $1:$162, respectively. Of respondents, 9% became department chairs, 26% became full professors, 82% received at least 1 subsequent research grant, and 66% served as PI on a subsequent research grant after receiving their NREF awards. CONCLUSIONS In-training and early-career neurosurgeons who were awarded NREF funding had significant success in acquiring subsequent grant support, research productivity, and achievements of academic rank. NREF grants provide a tremendous return on investment across various career stages and subspecialities. They also appeared to have a broader impact on trajectory of research and innovation within the field of neurosurgery.

OBJECTIVE Cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are often treated with endovascular therapy, but occasionally a multimodality approach including surgery and/or radiosurgery is utilized. Recurrence after an initial angiographic cure has been reported, with estimated rates ranging from 2% to 14.3%, but few risk factors have been identified. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with recurrence of dAVF after putative cure. METHODS The Consortium for Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Outcomes Research (CONDOR) data were retrospectively reviewed. All patients with angiographic cure after treatment and subsequent angiographic follow-up were included. The primary outcome was recurrence, with risk factor analysis. Secondary outcomes included clinical outcomes, morbidity, and mortality associated with recurrence. Risk factor analysis was performed comparing the group of patients who experienced recurrence with those with durable cure (regardless of multiple recurrences). Time-to-event analysis was performed using all collective recurrence events (multiple per patients in some cases). RESULTS Of the 1077 patients included in the primary CONDOR data set, 457 met inclusion criteria. A total of 32 patients (7%) experienced 34 events of recurrence at a mean of 368.7 days (median 192 days). The recurrence rate was 4.5% overall. Kaplan-Meier analysis predicted long-term recurrence rates approaching 11% at 3 years. Grade III dAVFs treated with endovascular therapy were statistically significantly more likely to experience recurrence than those treated surgically (13.3% vs 0%, p = 0.0001). Tentorial location, cortical venous drainage, and deep cerebral venous drainage were all risk factors for recurrence. Endovascular intervention and radiosurgery were associated with recurrence. Six recurrences were symptomatic, including 2 with hemorrhage, 3 with nonhemorrhagic neurological deficit, and 1 with progressive flow-related symptoms (decreased vision). CONCLUSIONS Recurrence of dAVFs after putative cure can occur after endovascular treatment. Risk factors include tentorial location, cortical venous drainage, and deep cerebral drainage. Multimodality therapy can be used to achieve cure after recurrence. A delayed long-term angiographic evaluation (at least 1 year from cure) may be warranted, especially in cases with risk factors for recurrence.

OBJECTIVE Cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are rare lesions, hampering efforts to understand them and improve their care. To address this challenge, investigators with an established record of dAVF investigation formed an international, multicenter consortium aimed at better elucidating dAVF pathophysiology, imaging characteristics, natural history, and patient outcomes. This report describes the design of the Consortium for Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Outcomes Research (CONDOR) and includes characterization of the 1077-patient cohort. METHODS Potential collaborators with established interest in the field were identified via systematic review of the literature. To ensure uniformity of data collection, a quality control process was instituted. Data were retrospectively obtained. RESULTS CONDOR comprises 14 centers in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Japan that have pooled their data from 1077 dAVF patients seen between 1990 and 2017. The cohort includes 359 patients (33%) with Borden type I dAVFs, 175 (16%) with Borden type II fistulas, and 529 (49%) with Borden type III fistulas. Overall, 852 patients (79%) presented with fistula-related symptoms: 427 (40%) presented with nonaggressive symptoms such as tinnitus or orbital phenomena, 258 (24%) presented with intracranial hemorrhage, and 167 (16%) presented with nonhemorrhagic neurological deficits. A smaller proportion (224 patients, 21%), whose dAVFs were discovered incidentally, were asymptomatic. Many patients (85%, 911/1077) underwent treatment via endovascular embolization (55%, 587/1077), surgery (10%, 103/1077), radiosurgery (3%, 36/1077), or multimodal therapy (17%, 184/1077). The overall angiographic cure rate was 83% (758/911 treated), and treatment-related permanent neurological morbidity was 2% (27/1467 total procedures). The median time from diagnosis to follow-up was 380 days (IQR 120–1038.5 days). CONCLUSIONS With more than 1000 patients, the CONDOR registry represents the largest registry of cranial dAVF patient data in the world. These unique, well-annotated data will enable multiple future analyses to be performed to better understand dAVFs and their management.

OBJECTIVE Current evidence suggests that intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) without cortical venous drainage (CVD) have a benign clinical course. However, no large study has evaluated the safety and efficacy of current treatments and their impact over the natural history of dAVFs without CVD. METHODS The authors conducted an analysis of the retrospectively collected multicenter Consortium for Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Outcomes Research (CONDOR) database. Patient demographics and presenting symptoms, angiographic features of the dAVFs, and treatment outcomes of patients with Borden type I dAVFs were reviewed. Clinical and radiological follow-up information was assessed to determine rates of new intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) or nonhemorrhagic neurological deficit (NHND), worsening of venous hyperdynamic symptoms (VHSs), angiographic recurrence, and progression or spontaneous regression of dAVFs over time. RESULTS A total of 342 patients/Borden type I dAVFs were identified. The mean patient age was 58.1 ± 15.6 years, and 62% were women. The mean follow-up time was 37.7 ± 54.3 months. Of 230 (67.3%) treated dAVFs, 178 (77%) underwent mainly endovascular embolization, 11 (4.7%) radiosurgery alone, and 4 (1.7%) open surgery as the primary modality. After the first embolization, most dAVFs (47.2%) achieved only partial reduction in early venous filling. Multiple complementary interventions increased complete obliteration rates from 37.9% after first embolization to 46.7% after two or more embolizations, and 55.2% after combined radiosurgery and open surgery. Immediate postprocedural complications occurred in 35 dAVFs (15.2%) and 6 (2.6%) with permanent sequelae. Of 127 completely obliterated dAVFs by any therapeutic modality, 2 (1.6%) showed angiographic recurrence/recanalization at a mean of 34.2 months after treatment. Progression to Borden-Shucart type II or III was documented in 2.2% of patients and subsequent development of a new dAVF in 1.6%. Partial spontaneous regression was found in 22 (21.4%) of 103 nontreated dAVFs. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that older age, NHND, or severe venous-hyperdynamic symptoms at presentation and infratentorial location were associated with worse prognosis. Kaplan-Meier curves showed no significant difference for stable/improved symptoms survival probability in treated versus nontreated dAVFs. However, estimated survival times showed better trends for treated dAVFs compared with nontreated dAVFs (288.1 months vs 151.1 months, log-rank p = 0.28). This difference was statistically significant for treated dAVFs with 100% occlusion (394 months, log-rank p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Current therapeutic modalities for management of dAVFs without CVD may provide better symptom control when complete angiographic occlusion is achieved.

OBJECTIVEIntraoperative MRI (iMRI) is used in the surgical treatment of glioblastoma, with uncertain effects on outcomes. The authors evaluated the impact of iMRI on extent of resection (EOR) and overall survival (OS) while controlling for other known and suspected predictors.METHODSA multicenter retrospective cohort of 640 adult patients with newly diagnosed supratentorial glioblastoma who underwent resection was evaluated. iMRI was performed in 332/640 cases (51.9%). Reviews of MRI features and tumor volumetric analysis were performed on a subsample of cases (n = 286; 110 non-iMRI, 176 iMRI) from a single institution.RESULTSThe median age was 60.0 years (mean 58.5 years, range 20.5–86.3 years). The median OS was 17.0 months (95% CI 15.6–18.4 months). Gross-total resection (GTR) was achieved in 403/640 cases (63.0%). Kaplan-Meier analysis of 286 cases with volumetric analysis for EOR (grouped into 100%, 95%–99%, 80%–94%, and 50%–79%) showed longer OS for 100% EOR compared to all other groups (p < 0.01). Additional resection after iMRI was performed in 104/122 cases (85.2%) with initial subtotal resection (STR), leading to a 6.3% mean increase in EOR and a 2.2-cm3 mean decrease in tumor volume. For iMRI cases with volumetric analysis, the GTR rate increased from 54/176 (30.7%) on iMRI to 126/176 (71.5%) postoperatively. The EOR was significantly higher in the iMRI group for intended GTR and STR groups (p = 0.02 and p < 0.01, respectively). Predictors of GTR on multivariate logistic regression included iMRI use and intended GTR. Predictors of shorter OS on multivariate Cox regression included older age, STR, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) wild type, no O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation, and no Stupp therapy. iMRI was a significant predictor of OS on univariate (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.69–0.98; p = 0.03) but not multivariate analyses. Use of iMRI was not associated with an increased rate of new permanent neurological deficits.CONCLUSIONSGTR increased OS for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma after adjusting for other prognostic factors. iMRI increased EOR and GTR rate and was a significant predictor of GTR on multivariate analysis; however, iMRI was not an independent predictor of OS. Additional supporting evidence is needed to determine the clinical benefit of iMRI in the management of glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND Few studies use large, multi-institutional patient cohorts to examine the role of intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) in the resection of grade II gliomas. OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of iMRI and other factors on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for newly diagnosed grade II astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. METHODS Retrospective analyses of a multicenter database assessed the impact of patient-, treatment-, and tumor-related factors on OS and PFS. RESULTS A total of 232 resections (112 astrocytomas and 120 oligodendrogliomas) were analyzed. Oligodendrogliomas had longer OS (P

OBJECTIVEDelayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is characterized by large-artery vasospasm, distal autoregulatory dysfunction, cortical spreading depression, and microvessel thrombi. Large-artery vasospasm has been identified as an independent predictor of poor outcome in numerous studies. Recently, several animal studies have identified a strong protective role for inhalational anesthetics against secondary brain injury after SAH including DCI—a phenomenon referred to as anesthetic conditioning. The aim of the present study was to assess the potential role of inhalational anesthetics against cerebral vasospasm and DCI in patients suffering from an SAH.METHODSAfter IRB approval, data were collected retrospectively for all SAH patients admitted to the authors’ hospital between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013, who received general anesthesia with either inhalational anesthetics only (sevoflurane or desflurane) or combined inhalational (sevoflurane or desflurane) and intravenous (propofol) anesthetics during aneurysm treatment. The primary outcomes were development of angiographic vasospasm and development of DCI during hospitalization. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of these endpoints.RESULTSThe cohort included 157 SAH patients whose mean age was 56 ± 14 (± SD). An inhalational anesthetic–only technique was employed in 119 patients (76%), while a combination of inhalational and intravenous anesthetics was employed in 34 patients (22%). As expected, patients in the inhalational anesthetic–only group were exposed to significantly more inhalational agent than patients in the combination anesthetic group (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified inhalational anesthetic–only technique (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.14–0.89), Hunt and Hess grade (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.03–2.22), and diabetes (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.06–0.55) as significant predictors of angiographic vasospasm. In contradistinction, the inhalational anesthetic–only technique had no significant impact on the incidence of DCI or functional outcome at discharge, though greater exposure to desflurane (as measured by end-tidal concentration) was associated with a lower incidence of DCI.CONCLUSIONSThese data represent the first evidence in humans that inhalational anesthetics may exert a conditioning protective effect against angiographic vasospasm in SAH patients. Future studies will be needed to determine whether optimized inhalational anesthetic paradigms produce definitive protection against angiographic vasospasm; whether they protect against other events leading to secondary brain injury after SAH, including microvascular thrombi, autoregulatory dysfunction, blood-brain barrier breakdown, neuroinflammation, and neuronal cell death; and, if so, whether this protection ultimately improves patient outcome.

OBJECTIVEDelayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may result in focal neurological deficits and cerebral infarction, believed to result from critical regional rather than global impairments in cerebral blood flow (CBF). However, the burden of such regional hypoperfusion has not been evaluated by gold-standard voxel-by-voxel CBF measurements. Specifically, the authors sought to determine whether the proportion of brain affected by hypoperfusion was greater in patients with DCI than in SAH controls without DCI and whether the symptomatic hemisphere (in those with lateralizing deficits) exhibited a greater cerebral hypoperfusion burden.METHODSSixty-one patients with aneurysmal SAH underwent 15O PET to measure regional CBF during the period of risk for DCI (median 8 days after SAH, IQR 7–10 days). Regions of visibly abnormal brain on head CT studies, including areas of hemorrhage and infarction, were excluded. Burden of hypoperfusion was defined as the proportion of PET voxels in normal-appearing brain with CBF < 25 ml/100 g/min. Global CBF and hypoperfusion burden were compared between patients with and those without DCI at the time of PET. For patients with focal impairments from DCI, the authors also compared average CBF and hypoperfusion burden in symptomatic versus asymptomatic hemispheres.RESULTSTwenty-three patients (38%) had clinical DCI at the time of PET. Those with DCI had higher mean arterial pressure (MAP; 126 ± 14 vs 106 ± 12 mm Hg, p < 0.001) and 18 (78%) were on vasopressor therapy at the time of PET study. While global CBF was not significantly lower in patients with DCI (mean 39.4 ± 11.2 vs 43.0 ± 8.3 ml/100 g/min, p = 0.16), the burden of hypoperfusion was greater (20%, IQR 12%–23%, vs 12%, 9%–16%, p = 0.006). Burden of hypoperfusion performed better than global CBF as a predictor of DCI (area under the curve 0.71 vs 0.65, p = 0.044). Neither global CBF nor hypoperfusion burden differed in patients who responded to therapy compared to those who had not improved by the time of PET. Although hemispheric CBF was not lower in the symptomatic versus contralateral hemisphere in the 13 patients with focal deficits, there was a trend toward greater burden of hypoperfusion in the symptomatic hemisphere (21% vs 18%, p = 0.049).CONCLUSIONSThe burden of hypoperfusion was greater in patients with DCI, despite hemodynamic therapies, higher MAP, and equivalent global CBF. Similarly, hypoperfusion burden was greater in the symptomatic hemisphere of DCI patients with focal deficits even though the average CBF was similar to that in the contralateral hemisphere. Evaluating the proportion of the brain with critical hypoperfusion after SAH may better capture the extent of DCI than averaging CBF across heterogenous brain regions.

Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS) is a well-established treatment for patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs). Data on the rates of pituitary dysfunction and recovery in a large cohort of NFPA patients undergoing ETSS and the predictors of endocrine function before and after ETSS are scarce. This study is purposed to analyze the comprehensive changes in hormonal function and identify factors that predict recovery or worsening of hormonal axes following ETSS for NFPA. A retrospective review of 601 consecutive patients who underwent ETSS between 2010 and 2018 at one institution was performed. Recovery or development of new hypopituitarism was analyzed in 209 NFPA patients who underwent ETSS. Patients with preoperative endocrine deficits (59.8%) in one or more pituitary axes had larger tumor volumes (P = 0.001) than those without preoperative deficits. Recovery of preoperative pituitary deficit occurred in all four axes, with overall mean recovery of 29.7%. The cortisol axis showed the highest recovery whereas the thyroid axis showed the lowest, with 1-year cumulative recovery rates of 44.3% and 6.1%, respectively. Postoperative hypopituitarism occurred overall in 17.2%, most frequently in the thyroid axis (24.3%, 27/111) and least frequently in the cortisol axis (9.7%, 16/165). Axis-specific predictors of post-operative recovery and deficiency were identified. Dynamic alterations in pituitary hormones were observed in a proportion of patients following ETSS in NFPA patients. Postoperative endocrine vulnerability, recovery, and factors that predicted recovery or loss of endocrine function depended on the hormonal system, necessitating an axis-specific surveillance strategy postoperatively.